Apparatus for gas-treating composition cork



9 a u w v M 6 1 5% K R w .0 m 0 i. P L W B m. h m UJ H m g A w 1 m APPARATUS FOR GAS TREATING Dec. 14, 1926.

Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

UNITED. srAEs ALIBIN H. 'WABTH, OF BALTIMOBE, MARYLAND, -.ASSIGNOR TO THE CRQWN CORK AND SEAL COMPANY or BALTIMORE CITY,

Tron OI. AItYLANDQ OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORA- .'APPARATUS GAS-TREATING COMPOSITION CORK.

Application filed March 18, 1921. Serial No. 453,530.

This inventionrelates to an apparatus for gas treating composition corks and plugs, In an application executed of even date herewith, and Ser. No.453,529 I have dis- 6. closed a novel process for treating composition cork disks and plugs with a toxic gas which will not injure the-cork, for the purpose of destroyingor preventing the development of mold spores, bacteria, fungus 1 growths,'yeasts, insect larvae, etc.

The present invention hasfor its objectto produce a simple, inexpensive and effective apparatus for commercially carrying the said process into effect.

With this object in view, the invention consists in a certain apparatus which will be hereinafter described and the novel features In the best constructions embodying the invention, the toxic gas employed will be admitted at or nearone end'of the contamer.

In the construction illustrated, there is em plo eda distributor 2 located near the upper 30 end of the container, said distributor consisting of an annular'perforated pipe, the gas escapingfrom the pipe through the erforations. The toxic gas employed will e obtained from a suitable source. In the con- 35. struction shown, this source is indicated as an ordinary gas cylinder 3 which contains the gas under ressure. Suitable connections are 'employe for ermitting the flow of gas from the source 0 gas supply to the container. As shown, these connectionsconsist of a pipe4 which connect with the cylinder 3 and with the'distributor 2. It is important where the gas is admitted at or near the opening through which the cork disks or plugs are. introduced into the container that this opening be closed gas tight. In the construction shown the upper end of the container is provided with a gasket 5, and a cover 6, the cover 6 being held down on the gasket by a screw 6.

' As ointed out in my said application referre to the. as treatment should be so conducted that t e corks or plugs will not be over-saturated with the gas, because if oversaturation occurs, the disks when placed in the metal caps in which they are ordinarily contained and brought in contact with liquid, may blacken. An apparatus embodying'the invention will, therefore, be provided with means for so determining and controlling the gas flow that the desired saturation of the corks or plugs may be obtained within a given time. In the construction illustrated, these'means" consist of a gas-flow gage, indicated at 7, and a valve 8. The gas being under pressure in the cylinder 3, the gage and valve enable the flow to be so controlled that a definite amount of gas will be admitted to the container in a given time. In the construction shown, the gas will gradually flow. downward through the cork disks or plugs, partly or entirely displacing the air in the pores of the cork disks or plugs. When the air in the pores of the cork disks or plugs has been replaced by the toxic gas, any mold spores, bacteria, fungus growths, yeasts, insect larvae, etc. which may be in the cork or the binder by which-the comminuted cork is held together, will either be destroyed by the gas or their development will be inhibited because of the absence ot'the air necessary to such development. After treatment, the cork disks may be discharged from the container, as throu h an opening in the bottom closed by a slide 9. The container is shown as provided with "hooks 10 on which a bag as 11, or any other suitable receptacle may be supported.

The flow of gas may be controlled in such a waythat no residual gas will be left in the container .at. the en' of the gas-treating .period'. Such contro of the gas, however,

reqia ires very fine adjustment, and it is 'reg rded as better practice to permit an over-supply of gas to flow into the container during the treating period and then exhaust the residual gas before the cork disks or plugs are withdrawn from the container. A suction fan may be used for this purpose, and such a fan is indicated at 12, this fan being connected by a pipe 13 to the lower end of the casing. Care should be taken that any residual gas is completely exhausted, so that the workmen around the apparatus may not be injured by the gas.

As pointed out in my application for the process referred to, the toxic gas employed should be of such a character as not to injure the cork material. Sulphur dioxide has been found to give excellent results and is cheap and readily obtainable. Other gases may, however, be used.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily understood. The cord disks or plugs having been introduced into the container, the cover 6 is closed, so as to make a gas tight closure, thereby preventin waste of gas or injury to the workmen rom escaping gas. The cylinder 3 is then connected to the pipe 4 and the gas flow is'then determined by Watching the gage and by manipulation of the valve until the desired rate of flow of gas is obtained. At the end of the saturation period, which may be from four to eight hours, according to the amount of gas admitted, the size ofthe container, etc., the gas flow is cut oil, and if the flow rate has been such that there is residual gas inthe container, the fan 12 is started and the residual gas drawn ofl". The slide 9 is then opened and the contents of the container discharged.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for gas treating composition cork disks or plugs comprislng a container enclosing a substantially unobstructed chamber for the articles to,be treated, the container having a large top opening for admitting a mass of disks or plugs and a large bottom opening for the discharge thereof whereby the disks or plugs may flow into and out of the chamber by gravity and With;- out substantial obstruction, closures for said openings, means for delivering to the disks or plug; while quiescent in the container a toxic gas of a character that will not mju-re the cork, and means for so determinin and controlling the gas flow that the gas is ad-.

into.and out ofthe chamber by gravity and without substantial obstruction, closures for said openings, means for delivering to the 5 disks or plugs while quiescent in the container a toxic gas of a character that will not injure the cork, means for so determining and controlling the gas flow that the gas is admitted to the container at a predetermined rate, and means for exhausting residual gas after the treatment.

- 3. An apparatus'for gas treating cork disks or plugs comprising a container having an opening at one end through which the disks or plugs are introduced into the container, a gas tight closure for said opening, a gas distributor in the container, a source of toxic gas supply of such a character that it will not injure the cork, con- 7 nections between the distributor and said source which permit the flow of gas into I the distributor and thence into the container, means, as a valve and gage, for so determining and controlling the gas flow that the gas is admitted to the container at a predetermined rate, an opening for removing the treated disks or plugs, means for closing said opening, and means -for exhausting any residual gas from the container. 4

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

1 ALBIN H. WARTH. 

